Big universities with a GPA around 3.4?

College Search & Selection
21

My mom really likes Seton Hall in NJ but it’s not a big university like what I want and it’s more expensive than others that have everything I’m looking for. They both also really like LSU and Penn State but I’m nervous about Penn State. I keep seeing Alabama and I haven’t looked into them yet. Does anyone know how the area around UA is?

22

Penn State= selectivity will depend on major so what would you apply for? 3.4 is borderline so it’d really spend on test scores and curriculum rigor.

U Alabama is in Tuscaloosa, a college town. You’d totally get in.

Also, look at University of South Florida and FIU.

23

I’m applying to their communication school and I did pretty good on PSAT’s so I’m expecting around a 1200-1300 on SAT’s when I take them next month. I’ll definitely look into Alabama.

24

Here’s an interesting Washington Post article on the number of OOS students at state flagships. It gives the % of in-state students for each school and the change over the last decade. It points out why UNC, Florida, and UT-Austin are such a challenge for OOS students.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2018/03/29/flagships-go-national-at-u-michigan-nearly-half-of-students-now-from-out-of-state/?utm_term=.96ab4ff9f8b7

I do think there can be some advantage to an OOS student in going to a university with a relatively large % of OOS students. I think it potentially lessens the impact of going into a place where high school networks are really developed and prominent.

I attended a terrific public university with about 30% OOS students. That seemed like enough that there was no issue. And I know OOS students at UNC who love their experience and had no trouble adjusting. Still wouldn’t mind the higher % of OOS students though.

25

Kansas State would also give you a good scholarship. My son is OOS there and loves it! The students are really happy and the professors take time to get to know even the freshmen. It isn’t too big and feels smaller. It isn’t flat there despite what you think of Kansas and there is a great lake just a few miles away. We were sold after our first visit there. (It won’t be your place if you only love big cities, but it has a nice town with plenty to do and bigger cities within a couple hours.